Word confusion in news stories happens because now everyone can be a journalist. The blogging landscape (blogosphere) is full of amateurs who do not have the same training and high standards of real professionals. Writers now defend their right to ignorance of the language and to use it as they wish. They would rather tell you to get a life and invoke Godwin's Law about those who appreciate good grammar than improve themselves.

If they are coming from professional news services, I would suspect the dilution of the profession into greater numbers is responsible for also diluting the greater sense of responsibility and accountability.